Principles for a safer space
The following are the principles to ensure a safer space at the Oulu City Library. The principles have been established following the results of a 2022 customer survey. The services and operations of the Oulu City Library promote the fulfilment of the City of Oulu Operational plan for equality and non-discrimination 2022–2026. The plan is based on the Non-Discrimination Act and the Act on Equality between Women and Men.
The principles for a safer space have been established in October 2022.
Our promise
The operations and services of the library promote the equality and non-discrimination of all people. All library spaces and events are substance-free. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour. We will address any inappropriate behaviour.
Give space
Respect other people’s personal space and right to bodily integrity. Do not touch others without permission. The library is a common space for us to share – let’s make sure that it is a safe and comfortable space for everyone.
Respect
Respect the diversity and autonomy of other people. Everyone is welcome to visit the library, and every visitor has the right to use the library services in peace.
Listen
Listen to the thoughts and opinions of others and give everyone space in the conversation. Do not make assumptions based on other people’s appearance or actions. Do not talk derogatorily of others.
Follow these steps if you encounter harassment or inappropriate behaviour
If you are in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, make sure to tell the library staff, harassment contact person or event organizers. You can also give anonymous feedback on library events afterwards.
The feedback is handled by the library harassment contact people. Possible further actions are carried out only with the consent of the customer who reported the matter. Any information in the feedback will not be recorded, filed, turned into statistics or submitted into any system or database. Information is stored only for the duration of the processing of the reported matter. You can read more about the library’s privacy protection protocols and the handling of personal information on the City of Oulu website.
You can contact the library harassment contact people via email: hairintayhdyshenkilot.kirjasto@ouka.fi. You can send us encrypted emails. Use this service when your email contains any personal information or other confidential information. Sending encrypted email requires registering to the service.
Link and instructions to encrypted email
Register as a user to encrypted email
You can submit anonymous feedback through the form below. You can report any sort of harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour you have encountered or witnessed in the library spaces or events.
You may also give general feedback on the topic.
If you wish to be contacted about the matter, you can submit your contact information, but this is not required.
What is harassment, inappropriate behaviour and discrimination?
Harassment or inappropriate behaviour can for example be aggressive pressuring of others, threatening, bullying, isolating and discriminating, intimidating or malicious commenting. Sexual harassment might be unwanted and inappropriate sexual comments and questions, sexually suggestive facial and physical expressions, or physical touch. Harassment creates a threatening, hostile, degrading, humiliating or distressing environment.
Discrimination happens when a person is treated poorly due to their personal characteristic. All people have the right to be treated equally.
According to the Non-Discrimination Act, no person should be discriminated against based on their age, origin, nationality, mother tongue, religion, beliefs, opinions, political activity, trade union activity, family relationships, state of health, disability, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.
More information:
The definition of discrimination on The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman Website
Sources:
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman
Occupational Safety and Health Administrator
Ombudsman for Equality